Crossword Genius

Rebel cricketers held up flat ball (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

circle

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'flat ball' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?

'rebel cricketers held up' is the wordplay.
'held' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'up' is a reversal indicator (in down clue: letters go upwards).
'elcric' is hidden in the letters of 'rebel cricketers'.
'elcric' back-to-front is 'CIRCLE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for circle that I've seen before include "Theatre seating tier" , "Orbit" , "Clique; loop" , "Seats above theatre stalls" , "Cycle - enclosure" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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